i was reading this article online which said baby crank baits and minnow plugs were good trout lures. If I'm fishing for trout 12 -18 inches how big should these crank baits and minnow plugs be?

I always use Mirrow Lure M52-11 for trout. Catch all the trout I want in
the grass flats.

Rapala is always a good choice. I think it is the Original shallow runner that I used. I would say 2 to 3in. I have done well with brown in rivers, and in lakes I would kill on blue and white, havent fished them in a few years, so there are alot more colors to chose from. Gray also works well if I remember right. Some times I would just castthem and let them drift with the curent, fish woud send the 5 ft in the air.

Spinners also work well for trout, I would say the best, but its been a while since I have used them. Panther martins are good and so are red fox. size 0 and 1, size 2 in the lakes.

The best way to catch a trout is on a fly .

i had great luck this yr with a 1/8 oz gold Kastmaster it acts like a small wounded baitfish the trout just killed that thing i probably caught 30 or so in 10 trips with it.